Get your Furnace up and Running for Fall

As fall approaches, its time to get your furnace ready for colder temperatures. More than half of emergency calls in the winter can be chalked up to lack of maintenance on your furnace. Furnace problems affect your comfort and can range anywhere from higher energy bills to carbon monoxide poisoning. Here are some things you can do early on this fall to increase efficiency and help prevent problems this winter:

Replace your filters regularly

This is one of the most important steps in home maintenance; filters need to be replaced every 1-3 months at the very least. Pets, small children and geographical location can affect the amount of time needed between filter changes. Be sure to keep filters clean and free of dust and debris by sweeping or dusting them routinely as well. Consider using pleated filters, HEPA filters or electrostatic filters. These can increase the energy efficiency of your furnace and keep it running smoother.

Install a programmable thermostat

Having your thermostat on a preset schedule can reduce energy consumption and help you save money. Turning the thermostat down by just one degree for 8 hours uses 1% less energy than normal. Program your thermostat to warm up only when they’re necessary and someone is home. Adjust the temperature for when you’re away at work or school during the day or asleep at night.

Clear your vents

Make sure floor and wall vents are not covered up by furniture, curtains or other obstructions. Blocked vents restrict airflow and don’t allow warm air to flow smoothly throughout your home.

Schedule a routine inspection

Scheduling a tune up in early fall will keep you from being left in the cold this winter.
A technician will:

• Check the electrical connection and test the voltage of your furnace
• Lubricate all moving parts; inadequate lubrication is the leading cause of early wear and tear on your furnace
• Make sure the condensation drain is not clogged; a clog can cause water damage and the growth of mold and bacteria.
• Check start up and shut down controls are working properly
• Check fuel lines and connections
• Inspect your exhaust outlets; blocked exhaust outlets can cause a buildup of Carbon Monoxide and result in poisoning

If you have any questions about preventative maintenance give us a call (866) 215 3831. Thanks for reading!